After serving Georgetown for 80 years, Independent Seafood is closing
 |
A piece of Georgetown
history is soon closing its doors leaving some in the shrimping industry wondering
where they will dock their boats.
Independent Seafood, on the water at the end of Cannon Street, is closing. The property has been sold and houses will be built on the site, a source told GAB News.
This will not only bring an end to a place where freshly caught seafood has been sold for more than 80 years – we are also told the docks where shrimp boats are kept will be removed.
It is unknown right now where the boats will go once the docks are removed.
Bryan Gray, a regular customer of Independent Seafood, told Charleston TV station WCBD he does not know where he will get his seafood.
“I love to come get my salmon and stuff,” Gray told the TV station. “You know, they got some real good salmon. I’m just kind of upset right now, I don’t know what we’re going to do.”
Georgetown Mayor Carol Jayroe told GAB News she too is unsure what will happen to the shrimp boats.
This is a developing story. We will provide updates as more information is received.
Independent Seafood, on the water at the end of Cannon Street, is closing. The property has been sold and houses will be built on the site, a source told GAB News.
This will not only bring an end to a place where freshly caught seafood has been sold for more than 80 years – we are also told the docks where shrimp boats are kept will be removed.
It is unknown right now where the boats will go once the docks are removed.
Bryan Gray, a regular customer of Independent Seafood, told Charleston TV station WCBD he does not know where he will get his seafood.
“I love to come get my salmon and stuff,” Gray told the TV station. “You know, they got some real good salmon. I’m just kind of upset right now, I don’t know what we’re going to do.”
Georgetown Mayor Carol Jayroe told GAB News she too is unsure what will happen to the shrimp boats.
This is a developing story. We will provide updates as more information is received.
Reader Comments
Bill DoarJAN 27, 2023 • I grew up living at 107 Cannon Street just across Front from the Tarbox home and riverfront property. Glennie Tarbox and I have been friends for 80 plus years. We spent many hours playing and dreaming on this property. I recall the first fish house. I am sad to see the property change; however the Tarbox has the right to do with their property as they please. Hopefully the new owners will see to it that the property is not abused
Tina
JAN 24, 2023 • Hate to hear this. We have done a lot of business here. Palmetto State Seafood I'm Moncks Corner is really good too if you looking for a new place. Very nice people and clean store. Independent will be greatly missed by many.
Jeff Wildes
JAN 23, 2023 • I’d like to offer a different view from the majority of comments. I don’t have a vested interest in this other than presenting a balanced view. I don’t even know the owner of Independent Seafood. I agree that it is sad when a business like this closes. Any business that’s operated for 80 years has earned the right to generate a host of emotions when it closes. I was only an occasional customer but I’m sure their regular customers will miss them greatly. However, I don’t think it is fair to be critical of the owner for selling, the buyer for buying, or the City for permitting a different use of the land. The owner has invested significant financial resources and much of his life into this business. He’s taken enormous personal financial risk to operate this business. He’s benefitted during the good times but suffered during the difficult years. It is his property and he has the right to sell it to the highest bidder in order to provide a retirement for him and his family and a legacy for his heirs. The buyer is also taking enormous personal financial risk to invest into a property that he/she has no guarantee of any financial reward. According to the news article, the property will be developed into homes, something frequently mentioned as a scarcity in the City and often questioned as to why the City doesn’t have more. Oddly enough, the City is often accused of being the reason for the shortage of housing within its boundaries because of being too restrictive in its ordinances. Yet, here it is accused of just the opposite for allowing homes to be built here. I’m not faulting the writers who lament the passing of an era, the loss of an icon, etc. These are legitimate and appropriate emotions and I suspect the owner of Independent Seafood appreciates the impact they have had on the community. It is not necessary however to have a “bad guy” in the story. Any of the readers of this story (or anyone else for that matter) could have purchased the business and continued it in its present structure if they had made an appropriate offer. Additionally, someone could still go offer the buyer a high enough price, buy it from him and continue it as a seafood business. Changes come — they are inevitable. Why not be grateful to the owner of Independent Seafood for its years of service to the community, encouraging and supportive to the buyer in his/her new venture, and thankful to the City for providing a much needed resource.
A. Harter
JAN 23, 2023 • That is a shame. Folks could try Postons.
B.M. Howell
JAN 23, 2023 • We are losing our family atmosphere to the bars and lowlife. Next they will want to bring in the gambling boats in place of the shrimp boats and loose all of our history. Whose getting the payoffs?
R. High
JAN 23, 2023 • People have a right to do what they will with their property, for a better life, generational money, whatever. The question of historic or economic significance is in the hands of local officials. They decide what buildings and etc to allow and what not to allow.
P
JAN 23, 2023 • It is all about the $$$ that we will be losing all of our history